Book helps mother heal after daughter's death

Author/illustrator Lulu Delacre takes viewers from the event to the bound book in an exhibit exploring her memoir for teens Jan. 5 through 31 at Rockville Library, 21 Maryland Ave. All interested teens are invited to a discussion about "Alicia Afterimage" with Delacre, the author, at the end of January. Contact the library at 240-777-0140 for more details. For more information, visit the following Web sites:

Silver Spring resident Lulu Delacre (right), the mother of Alicia Maria Betancourt, a Blake student who was killed in a car crash in 2004, talks with Theresa Leonhart, Alicia's preschool teacher, during a party Nov. 29 at the Strathmore Mansion for the release of Delacre's new book, "Alicia Afterimage."

Lulu Delacre searched for comfort in the dark period following her teenage daughter's death in a car crash. Grieving friends of her daughter returned the embrace, and four years later a book detailing their innermost thoughts has been released.

Delacre, a Silver Spring resident and author of children's books, has written and illustrated more than 30 stories. But there was no initial plan to write about the death of her daughter, Alicia Betancourt. The grief from losing Alicia, a student at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring and member of the Pom Squad, was too overwhelming.

But she decided to write "Alicia Afterimage" after interviewing Alicia's friends following the accident in September 2004. The discussion pulled them closer together in the trying time after Alicia's death.

For Delacre, the healing process also came by writing. With the help of her new friends, Delacre wrote the book and it was published by Lee and Low Books in September. "Alicia Afterimage" details how Delacre and family and friends of Alicia coped with their loss.

"I wouldn't change a thing [about the book]," said Delacre, who said writing was a part of the healing process. "In order to heal you need to confront your feelings."

The book details the multiple views of Alicia's family and friends and is meant to help teenagers and adults of all backgrounds identify with at least one the characters in the book, Delacre said. The chapters are meant to be short; when she was grieving, her attention span would not bring her to read voraciously.

Delacre and those who knew Alicia celebrated the book's meaning at a release party held Saturday evening at the Strathmore Mansion in North Bethesda. Friends of Alicia, including those who were characters in the book, joined Delacre for an evening of reflection and good times.

It was a stark contrast from 2004, when the funeral for 16-year-old Alicia was held. Delacre, grieving herself, wondered at the time how the children most affected by Alicia's death would cope — she decided to find out by interviewing them.

At first, she didn't know what the point of it was. Sometimes they all laughed, sometimes they cried. But it helped everyone heal, and she soon realized they were as eager to talk and listen as she was.

Blake Principal Carole Goodman praised Delacre for capturing the essence of what took place four years ago.

"She is a remarkable woman … it is a beautiful tribute," Goodman said.

At first, it was difficult for Goodman to read the book because of the effect the tragedy had on her.

"The book itself sat next to my bed for awhile before I could read it," said Goodman, who called the book "very healing."

Goodman, who was principal at Blake during the tragedy, said she hopes current students read the book and learn what happened. While it is possible the book could be assigned reading for Blake classes in the future, she added it would be difficult to have it be required due to the course variety at the school.

Delacre would also like to see the book read at Blake, particularly because it's the first year there are students attending Blake who were not there when the accident happened. She said it would be a good way for students to discuss which characters in the book they most identify with.

While the book is intended for a wide audience, Blake is a primary focus for Delacre. Proceeds from the book will go to the Alicia Betancourt Prize for Excellence in the Arts, which provides scholarship funds for female Blake students who have shown an interest in visual arts or dance. Delacre said book sales will provide additional support for prize winners in college as well as future winners.

She decided to take her name out of the book, instead calling herself "mama" because she wants people to know that anyone's mother can be affected by tragedy.

"Losing a child is a traumatic experience," Delacre said. "I talk about what I went through because I know it helps others."